Mauro Caminati

The Pattern Of Knowledge Flows Between Technology Fields

This paper exploits recent contributions to the notions of modularity and autocatalytic sets, to identify the functional and structural units of an empirical knowledge pattern that de…ne the strongest systematic and self sustaining mechanisms of knowledge transfer and accumulation within the network. These ’core’structures are de…ned by the connectivity property that every node (technology …eld) in the core is connected to every other node in the same core by a circular self-sustaining information ‡ow. Our analysis reconstructs the architecture of the empirical knowledge pattern based on USPTO patent citation data at the level of resolution of 3-digits technology classes, for the period 1975-1999. Based on this …ne grained analysis, the changes through time in the cross-…eld architecture of knowledge transfer are investigated. Our results are consistent with the idea that the information and communication technologies (ICT), although representing the core of knowledge creation throughout the period, only in the second half became fully integrated with the other sectors.

Function, mind and novelty: organismic concepts and Richard M. Goodwin formation at Harvard, 1932 to 1934

Abstract This article draws upon Richard M. Goodwin Archive papers at Siena University to examine Goodwins early philosophical formation at Harvard in the years 1932 to 1934 and the influence then exerted upon his ideas by Alfred N. Whitehead, and through him, by the Harvard philosophical and scientific community. It is shown how this early philosophical formation bears a close relation with Goodwins lifelong interest in the causes and effects of novelty generation in social systems.

Consumption variety and growth

Innovation, Unemployment and Policy in the Theories of Growth and Distribution increases our understanding about the more relevant economic determinants and policy aspects of the interdependence between economic growth and income distribution.